Uttoxeter goes ahead after inspection brought forward

This afternoon's meeting at Uttoxeter has been given the go-ahead after a planned inspection at 8am was brought forward.

The official going at the Midlands track is good to soft on the hurdle course and good to soft, soft in places on the chase course with no frost in the ground.

Temperatures in the area dropped to -2C on Monday evening although have been above 0C since midnight and expected to rise slowly through the day despite mist and cloud cover restricting visibility this morning.

Clerk of the course Charlie Moore said: "It's hovered above 0C since midnight and the temperature is forecast to rise during the day, albeit slower than we originally thought.

"My only slight concern is regarding visibility as it's not great at the moment and it's quite misty, although we hope it will clear once daylight arrives.

"The ground may ride a little bit dead after the frost we've had in previous nights but it shouldn't be too bad. The hurdle course has been moved so there is plenty of fresh ground."

The first race on the seven-race card is at 12.30, while the action at Fontwell, where the official going is good, begins at 12.40 and on the Fibresand, described as standard, at Southwell at 11.50.